Fredericks v. Pennsylvania Canal Co.
Fredericks v. Pennsylvania Canal Co.
Opinion of the Court
We do not think the amended narr of Aug. 31,1888, introduced a new cause of action. It was a mere restatement, in a more distinct form, of the original cause of action. It was not error, therefore, to allow this amendment to be filed.
It must be conceded that if the dam at the time of the commencement of this suit was in the same condition that it was when it was originally constructed, the plaintiffs would have had no cause of action. The plaintiffs’ contention was that it had been raised by the use of permanent splashboards, by means of which the plaintiffs’ land had been overflowed, and their crops injured. If the dam had been raised, as alleged by plaintiffs, it would amount to an enlargement of the same within the meaning of the present constitution, which abolished the old rule in regard to consequential damages, and established one more in accord with justice. Sec. 8, art. xvi, of that instrument declares that: “ Municipal and other corporations
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
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- Eminent domain — Gonstitution, article XVI, section 8. A canal company, which places upon its dam permanent splash-boards, having the effect of raising the water, and hence increasing the area of the dam, is liable to a property owner under article XVI, section 8 of the constitution, for the injury resulting from the consequent increased overflow of his land occasioned by this “ enlargement of their works.” Practice — Amendment of narr — New cause of action. The narr originally filed having alleged damage occasioned by the use of splashboards on the dam, an amendment, setting forth that the overflow was also caused by the closing oí a chute in the dam, did not introduce a new cause of action and was therefore properly allowed.